Jun 11, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Biden hits Trump 76 times in Iowa speech

Mike Allen, author of AM

Joe Biden, seen through a news camera viewfinder, speaks at a DNC event in Atlanta on June 6, 2019. Photo: Dustin Chambers/Getty Images

Joe Biden references President Trump at least 76 times in his prepared remarks for a Davenport, Iowa appearance on Tuesday — the same day that Trump will make an appearance.

Why it matters: Trump's aides have long seen the former vice president as his biggest potential threat in 2020. The president has recently been saying it out loud— and Biden seems to be just as focused on Trump — as their dueling Iowa trips provide a juicy splitscreen.

What Biden will say: "Trump doesn’t get the basics. He thinks his tariffs are being paid by China. ... The cashiers at Target see what’s going on — they know more about economics than Trump."

  • "I believe Trump is an existential threat to America."
  • "We choose hope over fear. Unity over division. Truth over lies. And science over fiction."

Go deeper: Behind the scenes of Trump's Biden obsession

Go deeper

Courtenay Brown
38 mins ago - Economy & Business

A quandary for state unemployment agencies

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

State agencies charged with paying unemployment benefits to jobless residents have their backs against the wall as they rush to parse President Trump's executive actions on coronavirus aid.

Why it matters: States are being asked to pitch in $100 per unemployed resident, but it’s a heavy lift for cash-strapped states that are still unclear about the details and may not opt-in at all. It leaves the states and jobless residents in a state of limbo.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Rebecca Falconer
Updated 40 mins ago - Health

New Zealand reports first local coronavirus cases for 102 days

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after a press conference at Parliament on July 22 in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Auckland is locking down and the rest of New Zealand faces lesser restrictions for 72 hours after a family of four tested positive for COVID-19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Tuesday.

Why it matters: It's the first cases not in managed isolation for 102 days, Ardern said at a news briefing.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Miriam Kramer
52 mins ago - Science

The risk of branding NASA's wins

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

President Trump, like some of his predecessors, is branding NASA's recent wins as political, presidential accomplishments even though they are the result of efforts that span administrations.

Why it matters: Experts warn that partisan politicking with NASA can lead to whiplash that leaves the agency scrambling to chase new goals whenever a new administration arrives in Washington.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow